Preview — Code Runner
by Rosie Claverton

Code Runner

Ex-con Jason Carr has faced down the toughest thugs in Cardiff, but being assistant to a brilliant, eccentric hacker who hasn’t been outdoors in ten years has its own challenges. Still, he and Amy Lane can solve cases even the cops can’t crack. And when a corpse washes up on a beach, Jason can’t resist chasing the clues—or defying Amy by iBook Two of The Amy Lane Mysteries

Ex-con Jason Carr has faced down the toughest thugs in Cardiff, but being assistant to a brilliant, eccentric hacker who hasn’t been outdoors in ten years has its own challenges. Still, he and Amy Lane can solve cases even the cops can’t crack. And when a corpse washes up on a beach, Jason can’t resist chasing the clues—or defying Amy by infiltrating the very gangs he once escaped.

Amy is distraught when Jason’s pursuit gets him framed for murder. He’s thrown back in prison where he’s vulnerable to people who want him dead. He needs Amy to prove his innocence. Fast.

But Amy hasn’t been honest with him—her panic attacks aren’t getting better. And now, with everything that makes her feel safe ripped away, she must stand alone, using her technological skills to expose a baffling conspiracy and a new kind of online crime. Can she clear Jason’s name before danger closes in?

Community Reviews

Now we're cooking. This book took the elements I liked from the first novel (intriguing characters, interesting plot twists) and took it up a notch. Even though we still don't get all of the leads' backstories, Claverton doles out just enough information to pull the reader closer, while delivering a suspense story that made me want to read it all in one sitting. I just had to know what was going on. I just had to put together all the pieces with drugs, corruption, and jail intrigue. And that, myNow we're cooking. This book took the elements I liked from the first novel (intriguing characters, interesting plot twists) and took it up a notch. Even though we still don't get all of the leads' backstories, Claverton doles out just enough information to pull the reader closer, while delivering a suspense story that made me want to read it all in one sitting. I just had to know what was going on. I just had to put together all the pieces with drugs, corruption, and jail intrigue. And that, my friends, is great tension in a story....more

The second installment in the Amy Lane series moves the timeline forward a bit and, of course, complicates Jason’s life a bit more. It isn’t just Amy, who finds her world opening just a bit more than she thought.

It’s nice to see both Amy and Jason develop as characters and to see Amy’s world expand just a little.

It’s also funny and sad to see drugged Amy. She drugged herself so it’s not a creepy drugging.

What I particularly enjoyed about this installment is the increase in communication thatThe second installment in the Amy Lane series moves the timeline forward a bit and, of course, complicates Jason’s life a bit more. It isn’t just Amy, who finds her world opening just a bit more than she thought.

It’s nice to see both Amy and Jason develop as characters and to see Amy’s world expand just a little.

It’s also funny and sad to see drugged Amy. She drugged herself so it’s not a creepy drugging.

What I particularly enjoyed about this installment is the increase in communication that Amy has with other women, which to a degree was a weak point in the first novel. Amy hasn’t just accepted Jason; she has taken too his mother and his sister. Jason’s sister also grows in this novel and we find out more about the detective’s duo. What is also important is that the foursome’s trust in each other is tested.

The speed of development between Amy and Jason’s relationship is well done. While Claverton plays with the “will they get together”, she keeps it real. Both Amy and Jason have problems, and Amy’s mental and emotional issues are factored into her reactions/actions towards Jason. This is also complicated by the arrival of her sister.

The pacing is a bit faster than the first novel, though the plot could have been a bit tighter. There are times when it feels like you it is one thing too many. The ending, however, is great.

My kindle edition included a short story where everyone gets together to celebrate Jason’s birthday. Amy’s present and Jason’s reaction to are good, but I loved the interaction between Amy and Jason’s mum....more

Amy has got into a routine now that she has Jason around, one that relies heavily on him. While Jason knows that Amy needs him, they don't always see eye to eye, and when she tells him that he can't go undercover in the gangs of Cardiff he does it anyway, leading to him being arrested for a murder that he is sure he didn't commit. Amy is determined to prove Jason's innocence,Review forthcoming on http://a-reader-lives-a-thousand-live...

I received a copy of Code Runner in exchange for my review.

Amy has got into a routine now that she has Jason around, one that relies heavily on him. While Jason knows that Amy needs him, they don't always see eye to eye, and when she tells him that he can't go undercover in the gangs of Cardiff he does it anyway, leading to him being arrested for a murder that he is sure he didn't commit. Amy is determined to prove Jason's innocence, even when no one else believes her, and sets about finding evidence to support him. The last thing that Jason wanted was to end up back in prison, and not just because he shouldn't be there, but because after the first time it becomes clear that prison is not a safe place to be. Meanwhile there's a new drug baron in town who seems to be playing the two gang leaders against one another, could it be that he has it out for Jason too...

Is there going to be more? Please tell me there is! As with Binary Witness, Code Runner had me turning pages and really not wanting to put the book down. I was definitely drawn into Jason and Amy's world, and I desperately wanted to know how it would turn out, especially when things looked so bleak for everyone involved.

The relationship between Jason and Amy has definitely progressed, though Jason does still refer to Amy as his boss, there are also several points at which he refers to her as his best friend, and even a few points where he seems to consider her as more than that (though that could just be Jason and woman kind really). Amy is the same, often referring to him as her assistant, but then saying that he was her best friend and outright hiding the fact that she wanted more with him. I think the two of them would be sweet as a couple, but I also think that their relationship is progressing at a pace which works well for both the characters and the story line./

Even though the evidence was stacked against him I never once doubted that Jason was innocent, partly because what was the point if he wasn't, but also because the author did such a great job at creating him, and creating a character that could be believed innocent. I also felt a strange sense of pride whenever Jason didn't fight back or start the trouble, it showed his growth as a character.

Whether she believed it or not, Amy also seemed to be a bit better. She still forgot to take care of herself properly but she realised that she was failing to do so, and when it came to looking after Jason she had no problems and went about it the same way he went about looking after her. I thought that it was good to see her developing as a character like that.

The mystery itself was just that, a mystery. The difference between this mystery and the mystery in Binary Witness was that this one had a known motive, and the reader knew some of the players involved...but that is it, I didn't realise who was behind it all until it clicked in Jason and Bryn's head, but once you do know who was responsible it all clicks together.

I've loved reading the Amy Lane Mysteries books, and I really really hope that there is more coming!...more

CODE RUNNER is the second book in the Amy Lane Mysteries series. Jason’s going on holiday with his mum and his sister, but when a body washes up on the beach Jason’s back in work mode. Amy’s become seriously dependent on Jason and her issues have gotten worse, even though she’s trying to hide them. When Jason gets nicked for a crime he didn’t commit and sent to jail, Amy is distraught and tries to unravel the mystery on her own. CODE RUNNER has the main characters’ relationship more establishedCODE RUNNER is the second book in the Amy Lane Mysteries series. Jason’s going on holiday with his mum and his sister, but when a body washes up on the beach Jason’s back in work mode. Amy’s become seriously dependent on Jason and her issues have gotten worse, even though she’s trying to hide them. When Jason gets nicked for a crime he didn’t commit and sent to jail, Amy is distraught and tries to unravel the mystery on her own. CODE RUNNER has the main characters’ relationship more established and solid, which I liked. I don’t think you necessarily have to read the first book, BINARY WITNESS, in order to enjoy CODE RUNNER, but it always helps to have the background. I love the author’s writing style and the dynamic interplay between characters. The language is colorful, speckled with UK slang (of course, as the story is set Wales), and unique turns of phrase. I am a big fan of the Amy Lane Mysteries series and I hope we get another installment soon. I’ve grown to care about all the characters, especially Amy as there is something about her which speaks to me. Pick up CODE RUNNER for a different kind of mystery and adventure!...more

The agoraphobic grey-hat hacker Amy and her ex-con assistant Jason are faced with a crime, which threatens to break up their team, and to shatter the new found confidence Amy has. She also finds herself separated from the lifeline she has built from her own personal prison and the outside world.

In the second book in the Amy Lane Mystery series Amy and Jason have become a well oiled crime fighting team. Perhaps one with too much success, because Jason finds himself back in prison. This time the cThe agoraphobic grey-hat hacker Amy and her ex-con assistant Jason are faced with a crime, which threatens to break up their team, and to shatter the new found confidence Amy has. She also finds herself separated from the lifeline she has built from her own personal prison and the outside world.

In the second book in the Amy Lane Mystery series Amy and Jason have become a well oiled crime fighting team. Perhaps one with too much success, because Jason finds himself back in prison. This time the charge is murder, the brother of his ex-best friend has been murdered, and Jason is the alleged killer.

Damage may have had it in for Jason, on behalf of his brother stewing away in prison, and he may have been responsible for the majority of the physical injuries Jason has been dealt throughout the last few months, but that doesn’t mean he wanted to or did kill him.

Someone has decided to set him up and feed him to the wolves. In prison there is no escaping the revenge of old friends. Meanwhile Amy is willing to do anything, well let’s be realistic anything doable within the confines of her safe space, to save Jason.

In Code Runner there are scenes that show the lack of training, sensitivity and understanding the police force have when it comes to dealing with people suffering from mental health issues. Trying to remove an agoraphobic from the confines of their safety net can cause unfathomable trauma and anxiety. It all comes back to not comprehending what it means both physically and psychologically to have to leave their self-imposed or rather anxiety imposed space.

Claverton combines her knowledge of mental health, the medical system and solid, believable characters to create a fast-paced enjoyable read. Amy’s well-being and mental health is linked to the fate of the one person, who has managed to help her cope better. At the same time the author doesn't portray Amy as weak, because she isn't. She is a strong, intelligent young woman, who is crippled and held back by her anxiety disorder.

I think this tag-team is incredibly interesting, and the storyline gives the reader a lot of insight into the restrictions of mental health disorders and the discrimination sufferers have to deal with on a daily basis. Definitely a series and an author worth checking out.* I received an ARC courtesy of the author and publisher.*...more

This is the second book in the series and while the author keeps you updated I wish I had read the first one to understand the relationship more Amy and Jason.There is a lot of British slang that took me a little time at the beginning to understand but soon it became easy to figure out. Sometimes it would throw me out of the book but it was still fun to read.Rosie Claverston has done a wonder job of using words to create a world that readers will want to stay in. The story takes a while to get gThis is the second book in the series and while the author keeps you updated I wish I had read the first one to understand the relationship more Amy and Jason.There is a lot of British slang that took me a little time at the beginning to understand but soon it became easy to figure out. Sometimes it would throw me out of the book but it was still fun to read.Rosie Claverston has done a wonder job of using words to create a world that readers will want to stay in. The story takes a while to get going with that said she still keeps readers connected.I will read the first one to better understand the relationship between Amy and Jason because at times I wondered why?Must ReadAdvance Copy From Netgalley...more

I like the duo of Amy and Jason. His ability as he ran, he could sense were and when there was trouble. Going on a holiday with his mother and sister. A man washes up and it is the brother of his best friend, prison once againas a suspect. Amy opens her door to noises, her world is threatened.Is the team of Amy and Jason now threaten. Twisted plot,intense, their personal freedom is at risk. She depends on him. A good plot to the end.

2.5 stars. Character beats between Jason and Amy and other secondary characters are good. Plot didn't do it for me at all. Plus really confusing to have two "RP" characters: Rich Porter and Rob Pritchard (may have gotten those backwards even now)

I really love reading about Amy and Jason and seeing their relationship develop. The mystery was twisty and interesting. At times, it was a little too violent for my taste – I kept thinking oh-no-poor [redacted]! But I'm still looking forward to reading the next books in the series. :)

How do you get framed for murder? Just follow Jason – he’ll show you. This is the 2nd in the Amy Lane Mysteries (and the first one I’ve read). Amy is an unbelievably bright computer hacker. Her computer is AEON and is a home-made supercomputer. She probably spends 90% of her life in front of it, only going to bed when she is totally exhausted. She has other issues too, such as agoraphobia, a fear of going outdoors. The police, in particular, DI Bryn Hesketh, rely upon information she is able toHow do you get framed for murder? Just follow Jason – he’ll show you. This is the 2nd in the Amy Lane Mysteries (and the first one I’ve read). Amy is an unbelievably bright computer hacker. Her computer is AEON and is a home-made supercomputer. She probably spends 90% of her life in front of it, only going to bed when she is totally exhausted. She has other issues too, such as agoraphobia, a fear of going outdoors. The police, in particular, DI Bryn Hesketh, rely upon information she is able to pull up on AEON. So she is a consultant for the police.

Amy has become very dependent upon Jason, her live-in assistant. He does cleaning within her condo and shopping when needed. He also does investigative work for Amy when it involves leaving the condo. When he was away for a long weekend on the beach with his family, he discovers a body washed ashore. He takes pictures to send to Amy so she can begin searching for any useful information for the police. However, this murder is outside their jurisdiction and Jason is told to stay out of it. He continues to look for clues. Someone frames him for murder and now he is in prison, and Amy and AEON burn the midnight oil.

I liked the premise; it’s different enough to hold your attention. When I tried to picture Amy, I came up with an image of Abbie from CSI. There are multiple differences between the two, but both seem well-equipped to pull an infinite amount of useful information from the computer. It takes place in Cardiff located in South Wales. Jason had been in prison before he took the job as Amy’s assistant. I loved the way he turned his life around for the good. However, as the novel shows, there are a lot of people who have the mentality, ‘once a thug; always a thug.’ I don’t really feel that I missed a lot by reading book 2 first. Book 1 is Binary Witness, which is the book in which Jason became her assistant; I’m not sure how much it revealed of the reason for her agoraphobia. Amy and Jason are opposites, but work well together most of the time. I didn’t feel like the connection between the ‘bad guys’ was identified really well. I rated Code Runner at 3.5 out of 5.

In the sequel to Binary Witness, Amy Lane and Jason Carr are back together again for another adventure.

Whereas Binary Witness kept Amy and Jason close, working side-by-side to solve a serial killer case, Code Runner explores a different sort of working relationship. For a large section of the book, circumstances force the two protagonists apart, placing Jason in a location that even Amy, with all her skills, cannot easily contact him in. This forces both characters to grow and develop individualIn the sequel to Binary Witness, Amy Lane and Jason Carr are back together again for another adventure.

Whereas Binary Witness kept Amy and Jason close, working side-by-side to solve a serial killer case, Code Runner explores a different sort of working relationship. For a large section of the book, circumstances force the two protagonists apart, placing Jason in a location that even Amy, with all her skills, cannot easily contact him in. This forces both characters to grow and develop individually, learning how to get by without the support of the other, and both their story arcs are well developed and highly satisfying as a result. Jason continues to become more and more competent independent of his 'boss', whilst Amy's ongoing mental health struggles are written both accurately and sensitively.

As well as the crime-fighting duo, many other minor characters from the first book make a welcome reappearance, including old friends and rivals of Jason's. These familiar names add to the 'insular' feel of the book; Cardiff as a self-contained system, where everybody knows everybody else and friends and enemies have a big effect on day-to-day life. In a plot revolving around a drugs ring, trying to be a drugs baron in a city where everybody knows your name and your business makes for a very different story to those told in the massive, anonymous, metropolitan cities like London and New York.

Every bit as good as its predecessor, Code Runner is a must-read for any crime fan, especially those looking for a refreshing change from the usual, run of the mill, big city thrillers....more

3 1/2 stars...I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.This is the second in a series of mysteries with Amy, the super genius computer hacker who is also agoraphobic and relies heavily on her partner, Jason. Jason is an ex-con with a rap sheet longer than the Bible. Against Amy's better judgement, Jason can't help but try to solve a murder mystery on his own, and where does he end up? Jail.Trying to defend against a murder charge. The story premise is good, and I enjoyed i3 1/2 stars...I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.This is the second in a series of mysteries with Amy, the super genius computer hacker who is also agoraphobic and relies heavily on her partner, Jason. Jason is an ex-con with a rap sheet longer than the Bible. Against Amy's better judgement, Jason can't help but try to solve a murder mystery on his own, and where does he end up? Jail.Trying to defend against a murder charge. The story premise is good, and I enjoyed it. It's heavy on the British accents and slang, which threw me from the beginning.I found myself having to re-read the sentence to try to figure out the context of the word and muddle out its meaning.Even though it is the second in a series, there isn't much you're missing besides a stronger relationship between Amy and Jason that you don't get much out of in this book. Its all been established before.The writing itself is phenomenal, the author truly has a way with words. It took a while for the story to pick up in my mind and before it did, it dragged on slowly. Overall, it was a good book, I think it would be better if you read the first book in the series before this one so that you get a feel for the author's jargon and the character development of Jason and Amy....more

The second in the Amy Lane Mysteries series and even more action packed than the first."Amy is distraught when Jason's pursuit gets him framed for murder. He's thrown back in prison where he's vulnerable to people who want him dead. He needs Amy to prove his innocence. Fast."This is the first book for a while to pass my 'guilt' test - I felt guilty if put the book aside when one of the main characters was in peril, and with Code Runner that was 90% of the time.Lots of unanswered questions from BThe second in the Amy Lane Mysteries series and even more action packed than the first."Amy is distraught when Jason's pursuit gets him framed for murder. He's thrown back in prison where he's vulnerable to people who want him dead. He needs Amy to prove his innocence. Fast."This is the first book for a while to pass my 'guilt' test - I felt guilty if put the book aside when one of the main characters was in peril, and with Code Runner that was 90% of the time.Lots of unanswered questions from Binary Witness are explained in this second instalment but Amy remains an enigmatic character (I'm a little concerned about how much I like and identify with Amy and I look forward to comparing notes with other readers on this). The other recurring characters are developed into a strong cast and I hope to encounter them in many more adventures. My one criticism is that the explanation of the relationships between the bad guys was vague and left me confused as to who had done what.I recommend this series to anyone who likes a fast paced thriller but one that also makes you think.Thank you to the author and publisher, via Netgalley, for the advance copy e-book....more

I love computers, hacking, and mysteries, so the premise of this book really intrigued me! This book started off interesting from the first chapter and the action continues all throughout the rest of the book. I really liked the characters of both Amy and Jason and the way they worked together. They make a great team, and it was very interesting to be "let in" on their partnership.

The chapters are short, so it is easy to put down and pick bacI received this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love computers, hacking, and mysteries, so the premise of this book really intrigued me! This book started off interesting from the first chapter and the action continues all throughout the rest of the book. I really liked the characters of both Amy and Jason and the way they worked together. They make a great team, and it was very interesting to be "let in" on their partnership.

The chapters are short, so it is easy to put down and pick back up without stopping in the middle of a chapter. One downside is the amount of profanity in the book. It did keep me from enjoying the read thoroughly, and I wish it had not been included. Other than that, I enjoyed the action and the mystery of Code Runner!

Agoraphobic Amy Lane and her ex-con assistant Jason must take on the justice system in a story reminiscent of both THE FUGITIVE and Geoffrey Household's ROGUE MALE. When Jason is accused of killing a young gangbanger, he finds himself with a target on his back and on the run. In comparison to BINARY WITNESS, which owes its roots very much to TV crime procedurals, Claverton brings forth a very different look at the storyworld here and I get the feeling her writing is already in a transition as shAgoraphobic Amy Lane and her ex-con assistant Jason must take on the justice system in a story reminiscent of both THE FUGITIVE and Geoffrey Household's ROGUE MALE. When Jason is accused of killing a young gangbanger, he finds himself with a target on his back and on the run. In comparison to BINARY WITNESS, which owes its roots very much to TV crime procedurals, Claverton brings forth a very different look at the storyworld here and I get the feeling her writing is already in a transition as she elevates it to the next level. Amy's backstory is most intriguing, so the unexpected arrival of sister Lizzie from Australia is a welcome addition, but ultimately, Jason's struggle is what really set the page alight for me. In an age of hero caricatures, Jason is a fantastic character and I can't wait to see what Claverton does next with him; I love the relationship between the unlikely duo. Recommended. ...more

I really enjoyed Code Runner by Rosie Claverton. I felt the book kept my interest from the start to finish. When I started the book, I hated having to be away from it.

With Amy as a hacker who has not left her house for about 10 years, and Jason as an ex-con, the two come together and solve crimes where the police have left off. Working crimes shows what a great team they are together. Amy suffers from extreme anxiety, and at times this makes it hard for her to cope with venturing outside of theI really enjoyed Code Runner by Rosie Claverton. I felt the book kept my interest from the start to finish. When I started the book, I hated having to be away from it.

With Amy as a hacker who has not left her house for about 10 years, and Jason as an ex-con, the two come together and solve crimes where the police have left off. Working crimes shows what a great team they are together. Amy suffers from extreme anxiety, and at times this makes it hard for her to cope with venturing outside of the walls of her apartment. Jason is totally the opposite, he follows clues to a fault which leads him into being framed for murder....more

Jason and Amy are at it again. This time murder and drug cartel. Any chance they can do this without being out in jail? No! Amy becomes more and more dependant of Jason to be her person. Jason still lives a life outside of her reclusive life... But just barely. She becomes so dependant of him. So when he's framed for murder, her hacking abilities can reach far and wide. But will he continue to be her house boy, shopper and co-hunter of clues for their local police?? He may need more elsewhere..Jason and Amy are at it again. This time murder and drug cartel. Any chance they can do this without being out in jail? No! Amy becomes more and more dependant of Jason to be her person. Jason still lives a life outside of her reclusive life... But just barely. She becomes so dependant of him. So when he's framed for murder, her hacking abilities can reach far and wide. But will he continue to be her house boy, shopper and co-hunter of clues for their local police?? He may need more elsewhere.. She may need even more from him in her life.......more

Finished this last night. Something review-ish to come. The short version: Loved it. Self-contained story, but with the relationship between Amy and Jason being one of its major developments and driving forces, it'll be more appreciated when Binary Witness is read first.

Rosie Claverton grew up in Devon, daughter to a Sri Lankan father and a Norfolk mother, surrounded by folk mythology and surly sheep. She moved to Cardiff to study Medicine and adopted Wales as her home.

Her Cardiff-based crime series The Amy Lane Mysteries debuted in 2014, with the latest novel Hard Return released in October 2018.

Between writing and medicine, she advocates for accurate and sensiRosie Claverton grew up in Devon, daughter to a Sri Lankan father and a Norfolk mother, surrounded by folk mythology and surly sheep. She moved to Cardiff to study Medicine and adopted Wales as her home.

Her Cardiff-based crime series The Amy Lane Mysteries debuted in 2014, with the latest novel Hard Return released in October 2018.

Between writing and medicine, she advocates for accurate and sensitive portrayals of people with mental health problems in fiction. She is a co-founder of the Welsh crime writing collective Crime Cymru.

Rosie lives with her journalist husband and her nearly new daughter....more